​“The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.”

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy or perhaps both”

“Learned institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous encroachments on the public liberty.”

“It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.”

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness. . . . The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them."

“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without virtue in the people is a chimerical idea.”

“But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.”

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce. ... The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives and liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement and prosperity of the State.”

“Disarm the people - that is the best and most effective way to enslave them.”

“[The Constitution preserves] the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation (where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”

“Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and of morals engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.”

“Those who are to conduct a war cannot in the nature of things, be proper or safe judges, whether a war ought to be commenced, continued, or concluded. Thy are barred from the latter functions by a great principle in free government, analogous to that which separates the sword from the purse, or the power of executing from the power of enacting laws.”

“No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.”

“If tyranny and oppression come to this land it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.”

“The means of defence against foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.”

“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”

“I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”

“It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. . . . The freemen of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise, and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle. We revere this lesson too much, soon to forget it. . . .”

“History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and it's issuance.”

​When we remember the heroic men and women who were responsible for the founding of this great country, we sometimes forget the many sacrifices they made.

George Washington, the father of our country, wanted nothing more than to retire with his dear Martha to their beloved Mount Vernon after winning the war with Britain. Yet he set aside his desires and answered the call of his country.

Benjamin Franklin who was elderly and ill, often needed assistance to attend the Constitutional Convention, but he sacrificed comfort and convenience, and his wisdom was vital in shaping "a more perfect union."

James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution," was a wealthy plantation owner, but his estate was poorly managed in his absence and he worried continually about financial matters.

Yet Madison, like so many others, paid the price to be true. He studied and prepared himself to do the immense work that was part of being one of the primary architects of the Constitution, and his diligent and determined efforts continue to bless our lives today.

The video below, "A More Perfect Union," is a powerful portrayal of the events surrounding the birth of the United States Constitution. Beginning with James Madison studying and writing at his desk, this inspiring movie follows Madison as he shepherds the creation and ratification of the Constitution.

Please watch "A More Perfect Union" and reflect on how you can help preserve the Constitution, then share it with your family and friends. We live at a time when the Constitution is hanging by a thread. We need to be as diligent and courageous in restoring it as our Founding Fathers were in its creation, so we can share the great legacy of liberty with the generations who will follow us.

​Epileptic, small, frail, quiet, shy...these aren’t words that normally come to mind when we think of great leaders. And although James Madison was all of the above, very few people in the world have had as much impact on the course of history as he has.

Perhaps his poor health allowed him more opportunity to pursue his studies.

Maybe rising to his challenges helped him develop courage, patience, and perseverance.

In any case, he used his talents freely to help create a great nation that has blessed millions of people. He loved his country and showed it in his words and deeds.

James Madison’s many accomplishments are a tribute to his character, and stand as an inspiring example for Americans through the ages. Even people with heavy trials can be a powerful influence for good. In fact, many people who accomplish great deeds have faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But strength is born in the struggle. No act of goodness or service is ever lost.